December 08

Vladimir Shatalov was born in Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan, in 1927. He served as a pilot in the Soviet Air Force before joining the cosmonaut corps. Shatalov flew on the Soyuz 4, Soyuz 8, and Soyuz 10 missions. He later became head of the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. His leadership helped shape the Soviet space program during the Cold War. Shatalov died in 2021, remembered as a pioneer of human spaceflight.

Born in 1937 in Germany to Norwegian parents, Næss Jr. emerged as a leading figure in high-altitude mountaineering. He led the first Norwegian expedition to summit Mount Everest in 1985, showcasing his passion for adventure. Beyond climbing, he built a successful career as a shipping magnate, founding and managing international maritime companies. His marriage to singer Diana Ross in 1986 brought additional public attention to his endeavors. Næss balanced corporate responsibilities with extreme expeditions, advocating for environmental conservation. He supported philanthropic initiatives and youth outdoor education programs. In 2004, he tragically died in a climbing accident in South Africa. His life bridged the worlds of business and adventure.